In a series of photo uploaded to the Wildcare Australia Facebook, the group describes the series of events that led to Ash being without a home.

"This young female koala "Ash" was rescued late this afternoon by one of our volunteers," it says.

"Ash was found wandering disorientated in the middle of a large development site on the northern end of the Gold Coast which has only recently been cleared. This would have been Ash's home range since she became independent from her mother."

"Much better forest protection is vital if we are to keep our unique wildlife from moving to the brink of extinction," she said.

"This is heartbreaking to see, particularly when Australia's most at-risk populations of koalas are in Queensland, as well as New South Wales and the ACT."

"There is clearly something very wrong with Australia's level of environmental protection when koalas are wandering the streets without a home. We should be doing all we can to save these protected animals - not leaving them homeless."